Sydney Roosters set to pay hefty price for Dom Young departure
Dominic Young could be playing for Newcastle an early as next week — and the Roosters are set to pay a hefty price for the star winger’s departure.
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Unless there is an eleventh hour contract drama, Sydney Roosters winger Dom Young will be announced as Newcastle Knights player by Friday, will train for the first time on Monday and play against Parramatta next Friday night.
Contract negotiations between the Roosters and the Knights continue with Young also seeking some late advice and approval from his parents back in England.
Both clubs appear to have arrived at a financial agreement which will conclude Young’s mixed tenure at Bondi.
It is a remarkable conclusion for a big name player that the Roosters lured out of Newcastle after the 2023 season.
The Roosters are prepared to tip-in around $250,000 of Young’s $450,000 a season contract – meaning the star winger could return to Newcastle for just $200,000 a year.
The deal has been widely accepted by the Knights.
Newcastle privately question whether Young is leaving the Roosters to make salary cap space to sign Manly’s Daly Cherry-Evans.
There are some late suggestions Cherry-Evans may agree to a one-year-deal at the Roosters, not two seasons as has been mooted.
Newcastle is expected to offer Young a two-year deal and want him playing in the club’s round 11 home game against Parramatta.
Young would be expected to start training with Newcastle on Monday.
Albeit unlikely, there could be a late hitch.
The Knights will immediately withdraw from negotiations if Young attempts to find a new club for the rest of this year before starting with Newcastle next year.
The Roosters were prepared to let Young leave early provided he had a new club to sign with from next season.
Roosters management didn’t want to allow Young to leave and then realise he was without a club for next season.
Knights coach Adam O’Brien is a known fan of Young, who scored 43 tries in 51 games with Newcastle between 2021 and 2023.
Young scored 25 tries in his 29 appearances for the Roosters.
O’Brien’s interest in Young piqued after the Roosters dropped Young to NSW Cup earlier this season.
Young is known to be great mates with fellow Englishman and Knight Kai Pearce-Paul.
The path for Young to join Newcastle started informally Friday with talks starting between club officials and third parties.
The Roosters have considerable depth in the outside backs through Daniel Tupou, Robert Toia, Mark Nawaqanitawase and Billy Smith.
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